Classifying e-mail connections for policy enforcement

Abstract

A method and system for the policy-based restriction of electronic mail transmissions. A method for classifying electronic mail message transfer requests for policy enforcement can include identifying a source of an incoming electronic message, classifying the source, and applying a message transfer policy associated with the classification for the source. In particular, the identifying step can include identifying a network address for the source. The classifying step by comparison, can include classifying the source as one of a trusted source, a blocked source, and a suspect source. The classifying step also can include classifying the source as one of an authenticated source and an anonymous source. Finally, the classifying step further can include classifying the source as a blocked source where the source appears in a realtime black hole list.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Statement of the Technical Field [0002] The present invention relates to the processing electronic mail and more particularly to limiting the transmission of electronic mail based upon the identity of the transmission source. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Historically, the print medium served as the principal mode of unsolicited mass advertising on the part of the direct marketing industry. Typically referred to as “junk mail”, unsolicited print marketing materials could be delivered in bulk to a vast selection of recipients, regardless of whether the recipients requested the marketing materials. With an average response rate of one to two percent, junk mail has been an effective tool in the generation of new sales leads. Nevertheless, recipients of junk mail generally find the practice to be annoying. Additionally, postage for sending junk mail can be expensive for significant “mail drops”. Consequently, the direct marketing i...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, recipients of junk mail generally find the practice to be annoying.

Additionally, postage for sending junk mail can be expensive for significant “mail drops”.

Still, as is the case in the realm of print media, unsolicited electronic mail remains an annoyance to consumers worldwide.

For many, spam represents a scourge upon the Internet consuming unnecessary bandwidth, excess computing resources and the time of millions of Internet users.

Ironically, while electronic mail in the past has been viewed as the “killer” application designed to provide vast efficiencies in the field of global communications, spam threatens to minimize the effectiveness of electronic mail by imposing upon electronic mail users the obligation of screening incoming messages to detect spam.

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